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50 Years of Celebration: The Dance for Mother Earth Powwow

Sat, 09/28/2024 - 6:45pm

"In 1972, when many aspects of Native American religions and sacred ceremonies were still prohibited by law, American Indians at the University of Michigan (AIUM) held their first powwow in Ann Arbor. Over the years, the Native American Student Association (NASA), consisting of community members and students, evolved into a group fully dedicated to making the powwow a success. In March of 2024, the Dance for Mother Earth Powwow celebrated its 50th anniversary. In 50 Years of Celebration: The Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, a variety of voices from multiple generations share what the powwow has meant to them." - Filmmaker Jen Howard

Dance, Music, Art & Community: 50 Years of the Dance for Mother Earth Powwow

A corresponding physical exhibit is on display in the second-floor exhibit space at the Downtown Library from March 16 - June 14, 2024.

Stonehorse Goeman Dances at Huron High School for the 8th Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, April 1980 Photographer: Deborah Ouellette

Stonehorse Goeman Dances at Huron High School for the 8th Annual Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, April 1980 image

Year:
1980

Published In:
Ann Arbor News, April 13, 1980
Caption:
JOYFUL — About 200 Native American Indians came from cities, towns and reservations around the Midwest and Canada to Ann Arbor Saturday to "make a joyful noise" and leave their troubles outside. Indian dancers and musicians gathered at Huron High School Saturday for the eighth annual all-Indian Powwow sponsored by the University of Michigan Native American Student Association. The powwow resumes today from 1 to 6 p.m. Several Midwestern tribes are represented at the meeting, according to Ben Bearskin Sr., organizer of the open powwow. The powwow is a happy celebration, a time to forget grudges, to overlook ailments and feel joy, Bearskin said. Above, Stone Horse Goeman, from Big Fork, Minn., performs a native dance Saturday. A children's dance was held Saturday, along with preliminaries of the adult dance competition. Finals of the adult contest were scheduled for Sunday afternoon. The dance competition begins at 2 p.m. today.